Past Meditation for Monday, Sept 13 Lectionary # 443

Scripture: Lectionary 443, Sept. 13. I Cor.11:17-26, 33. Psalm 40
8a,8b-9,10,17. Luke 7:1-10:

Paul affirms and clarifies the sacred words of Jesus given at the Last
Supper. It is one of the earliest written attestations to the institution
of the Eucharist. He demands reverence, respect for one another, and
correction of the behavior patterns they have gotten into before the
Eucharist. There is selfishness, jealousy, and favoritism in those who
gather for what was known as an Agape meal. Paul sets them straight on
what is appropriate for participating in the Holy Eucharist. The
Corinthians were party lovers and rather proud about their wayward
behaviors.

Paul raises their awareness to these faults and showed them that the poor
are equal members of the Agape and that they should be taken care of and
made part of the meals. They are to be received as members of the Body of
Christ, the local church, and also called like all who are believers to be
"other Christs." Paul has from the beginning of this epistle struggled with
the factions in the Corinthian community. He admonishes them to be devout
and to celebrate the Eucharist with attention and warm devotion.

In the Gospel we learn how the strong faith of a Roman centurion is
rewarded. He is led to ask for the healing of his servant who is near death
by intermediaries from among the Jews of the synagogue that he has helped
to build. He may be leaning toward being a proselyte to Judaism; he has
heard of Jesus' miracles and wants to trust in Jesus so that his servant
may be restored to life and vigor again. In this episode we have both a
Gentile and some Jews appealing to Jesus for help. Jesus, the Jew, can do
something about the servant's plight.

We learn that unity among believers is of great importance and value as
Paul has already pointed out in our first reading. Here, in the Gospel, we
have an example that could be termed "ecumenical" and when people dialogue
and share their values good things happen in the community. Respect for
those who have different beliefs and rituals is a part of this cooperation
on a human level and on concern for keeping the commandment of loving one's
neighbor alive. We are not to shun or stay away from those things which
help the community. All of us are unworthy that the Lord should enter
under our roofs but we see that faith can overcome that unworthiness. The
centurion is an excellent model for us to come to the Lord God and to Jesus
who can heal and save us. Yes, Lord, we are not worthy but do come and
help us. Amen. (continue...

Scripture: Lectionary # 445 Sept. 16th, Thursday. I Cor 12:31-13:13. Psalm
33:2-3, 4-5, 12.22. Luke 7:31-35:

Paul sings a new song to the Lord that is parallel to the Psalm response
and its verses for today's liturgical celebration. We all are invited to
sing a new song to the Lord as we begin a new day. Paul sings about love
in his most famous hymn to charity (love), faith, and hope. As his hymn
continues it reaches a crescendo and a climax in the statement..."and the
greatest of these gifts is love."

Psalm 33 voices the attributes of God: righteousness, loving-kindness,
justice and peace. God's Providence and concern for all of us and for all
of creation is extolled through the singing and playing of instruments in
the temple service that takes us into the time of the kings of Judah.
Choir, drums, stringed instruments, tambourines, a harp, a lyre are joined
in this new hymn praising God. There is in the Psalm a word in Hebrew
coming from a rare verb (hishgiah) that becomes the rabbinical term for
God's Divine Providence. God is carefully watching over all in the temple
and in all of creation. His providence governs all the inhabitants of the
earth, not only Israel. (Soncino Psalms, p.97).

The exhuberance emanating for the initial readings is hushed by the lack of
joining in singing and dancing in the comparison and example Jesus speaks
of to those who are not following his advice. They are like children
playing in the marketplace who refuse to join others in their invitations
to sing and dance. "We have piped a tune but you did not dance, we sang
and we even sang a dirge and you did not mourn." Let us not be like those
children who were selfish and took their football home! We are called to
thank God with song, dance, and a joyful shout of praise. We are called to
sing a new song today and it is to be directed to the Lord. Amen.